Briefing.com: Hourly In Play (R) – 13:00 ET

Aug 23, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 23-Aug-10 13:00 ET

12:40

BAL Global & sector ETF money flows- Cotton (BAL) leads all percentage gainers here @ midday; Coffee (JO) remains the weakest commodity -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

cotton- BAL +1.0%, iShares Spain- EWP +1.0%, iShares S Africa- EZA +1.0%, SPDRS utilities- XLU +1.0%, Pharma HLDRS- PPH +1.0%, SPDRS healthcare- XLV +0.75%, oil drillers & energy components- OIH +0.75%, XES +0.75%, XOP +0.75%, XLE +0.50%, iShares UK- EWU +0.75%, palladium- PALL +0.75%, iShares Italy- EWI +0.75%, livestock commods- COW +0.50%

Actively Traded Lagging Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

coffee- JO -2.25%, VIX vol index- VXX -2.0%, VXZ -0.25%, RBOB gasoline- UGA -1.75%, natural gas- UNG -1.50%, Vietnam- VNM -1.50%, crude/WTI oil- USO -1.50%, OIL -1.50%, metals & mining- GDX -1.0%, GDXJ -1.50%, XME -1.25%, China 25- FXI -1.0%, commods index- GSG -1.0%, DBC -0.75%, steel -SLX -1.25%, Turkey- TUR -1.0%

12:32

European Markets Closing Prices

European markets are now closed; stock markets across Europe performed as follows: UK's FTSE: +0.8% Germany's DAX: +0.1% France's CAC: +0.8% Spain's IBEX: +1.3% Portugal's PSI: +0.1%

12:28

WCRX NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Pharma name (WCRX) continues to lead all percentage gainers here @ midday -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

WCRX, FSLR, ROST, CHKP, APOL, ESRX, GILD, TEVA, GENZ, MSFT

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

BIDU, INTU, NIHD, FLIR, JOYG, MRVL, CSCO, ISRG, ADSK, VMED

NASDAQ A/D @ -1.6:1

NASDAQ TRIN +1.30

12:25

WMT Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Consumer Staple name (WMT) continues to lead all percentage gainers in the index here @ midday; Tech names (CSCO, HPQ) notably weak -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

WMT, MRK, XOM, MMM, BAC

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

CSCO, CAT, HPQ, BA, INTC

NYSE A/D @ 1:1

NYSE TRIN +1.0

12:24

TECHX Banking Index -BKX- puts together limited stabilization after Friday's drop to new six month low -Update- -Technical-

The Banking sector has been a laggard within the overall Finance sector (XLF) with it dropping to a new six month low Friday (Bank ETFs KBE, KRE did as well). The decline left it oversold but only a limited extension was noted in early trade before a pause. Click for the daily chart to see levels of note. Components of the KBE include BAC, BK, BBT, C, JPM, MTB, PNC, STT, USB, WFC while KRE components include BOH, CVBF, FMER, FULT, MBFI, ONB, PACW, SBNY, SIVB, UMPQ.

11:37

ES EnergySolutions announced it has reached an agreement to close its transaction with Exelon Nuclear (4.62 -0.13)

Co announced it has reached an agreement to close its transaction with Exelon Nuclear to officially transfer the Zion Station licenses to EnergySolutions for the purpose of beginning the accelerated decommissioning of the Zion Station. The anticipated date for officially transferring the licenses is September 1, 2010.

11:37

HTZ Hertz Global acquires Italian power generation rental company for an undisclosed sum (9.24 +0.05)

Co announced that Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) has acquired Rent One Italy. The acquired business had 2009 revenues of US$3.9 million. The acquisition was made by HERC's European business unit for an undisclosed sum and will be integrated into HERC's European operations.

11:25

QQQQ Lagging Nasdaq Comp -15 slides to fresh session low, Dow -12 and S&P -1.3 are hovering just above their morning pullback low -Technical-

11:23

L Loews Corp tests support at Friday's low/200 sma at 36.05/35.97 and bounces -- session low 36.02 (36.21 =0.08) -Technical-

L is a commercial property and casualty insurance company and if unable to continue to hold above this support area, its 50 sma comes into play 35.77.

11:09

EMR Emerson: LANDesk Software announced earlier that it will be acquired by Thoma Bravo from Emerson; Financial details were not disclosed (81.22 +0.56)

LANDesk Software announced Thoma Bravo entered into a definitive agreement to purchase LANDesk Software from Emerson. Financial details were not disclosed.

11:08

SPY Stock indices extend intraday retreat off early highs -- Dow -11, S&P -1.1, Nasdaq -12.7 -Update- -Technical-

Relative sector weakness (underperforming the S&P) on this move have been noted in: Housing XHB, Retail XRT, Reg Bank RKH, Semi SMH, Industrial XLI, Airline FAA, Disk Drive, Solar TAN, Steel SLX, Gold GLD.

11:07

LMT Lockheed Martin/U.S. Air Force team complete GPS III design phase ahead of schedule (72.66 -0.54)

The Lockheed Martin team developing the U.S. Air Force's next generation Global Positioning System, known as GPS III, has successfully completed the program's Critical Design Review (CDR) phase two months ahead of the baseline schedule. CDR completion validates the detailed GPS III design to ensure it meets warfighter and civil requirements, and allows the program to begin the production phase.

10:53

SPY Dow -4.7 and S&P -0.2 join Nasdaq -10 in the red -Update- -Technical-

The Dow has slipped 100 points off the early session peak.

10:45

SPY Stock indices extend pullback off early highs with Nasdaq -6.6 pacing the way -- Dow +13.7, S&P +2 -Update- -Technical-

10:40

BAL Global & sector ETF money flows- Cotton (BAL) leads all percentage gainers; VIX volatility (VXX, VXZ) lags as the indexes hold firm gains through the 1st hour of trade -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

cotton- BAL +2.0%, iShares Spain- EWP +1.50%, iShares Italy- EWI +1.25%, SPDRS utilities- XLU +1.25%, iShares Israel- EIS +1.25%, clean energy- PBW +1.25%, oil drillers & energy components- XOP +1.0%, OIH +1.0%, XES +1.0%, pharma HLDRS- PPH +1.0%, airlines- FAA +1.0%, SPDRS healthcare- XLV +1.0%

Actively Traded Lagging Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

VIX vol index- VXX -2.50%, VXZ -1.0%, natural gas- UNG -1.25%, Vietnam- VNM -1.25%, coffee- JO -1.0%, China 25- FXI -0.75%, metals & mining- GDX -0.50%, GDXJ -0.75%, China small caps- HAO -0.75%, Turkey- TUR -0.75%, US Treasuries & fixed income- TLT -0.50%, TIP -0.25%, semis- XSD -0.50%, IGW -0.50%, Russia- RSX -0.50%

10:34

SPY S&P +4.5 pulls back off retracement resistance after early run, watching these short term levels -Update- -Technical-

(Click for chart).

10:33

PSOF Pansoft forms joint venture for outsourced software testing service for Sharp (4.92 0.00)

Co announces the signing of an agreement to form a joint venture with two Japanese entities, Management Information Center Co and Seven Colors Corporation. This joint venture, named Pansoft (Japan) Company Limited, will merge the related divisions from the JV Partners to engage in a contractual relationship with Sharp Business Software Development Center, a unit of Sharp Corporation, to conduct outsourced mobile-phone software testing. Under the agreement, Pansoft will invest a total of RMB 18 mln (USD $2.7 mln) for an 80% stake in Pansoft (Japan), which will have two subsidiaries.

10:31

WCRX NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Pharma name (WCRX) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trade; Software name (INTU) pulls back from Friday's surge -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

WCRX, FSLR, ROST, CHKP, PDCO, ESRX, CHRW, FWLT, JBHT, SRCL

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

INTU, BIDU, MRVL, ADSK, URBN, SYMC, LLTC, XLNX, INTC, SHLD

NASDAQ A/D @ 1:1

NASDAQ TRIN +1.25

10:28

WMT Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Consumer Staple name (WMT) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

WMT, BAC, PFE, MCD, XOM

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

HPQ, INTC, TRV, CSCO, AXP

NYSE A/D @ +1.7:1

NYSE TRIN +0.90

10:24

ARG Airgas commenced mailing of a letter to all Airgas stockholders related to Air Products & Chemicals (APD) hostile tender offer and proxy contest (66.45 +0.20)

Co sends letter urging stockholders to vote "for" Airgas' Directors and "against" Air Products' by-law amendment proposals. The letter says "Air Products has been trying for ten months to acquire Airgas, including the launching of a hostile tender offer and proxy contest over six months ago. During this period, Airgas and its stockholders have been subjected to numerous tactics by Air Products as it seeks to buy your company at, in our view, the lowest possible price."

10:13

TECHX Sector Watch on market slide off highs -Update- -Technical-

Seeing relative sector weakness (underperforming the S&P) on the pullback off the highs in Housing XHB, Semi SMH, Retail XRT, Reg Bank RKH, Networking, Gold Miners GDX. Relative strength from Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH, Utility UTIL

10:09

TECHX Opening Point Gainers/Losers -Technical-

Point Gainers: PAR (+7.22), ISRG (+3.72), FSLR (+3.73), POT (+3.15), SCOK (+3.05), WHR (+2.16), MOS (+2.17), MMYT (+1.98), PCLN (+1.77), FDX (+1.64)

Point Losers: JAZZ (-2.40), NFLX (-2.09), CRM (-1.81), INTU (-1.74), CALL (-1.70), KRO (-1.47), BIDU (-1.50), NTES (-1.12)

10:06

SPY Stock indices slipping back off early session highs -- Dow +64 has pulled back 30 points, S&P +7.1, Nasdaq +10 -Update- -Technical-

10:01

CAL Continental Air and Aegean Airlines to start codeshare flights (22.45 +0.71)

09:59

MRVL Marvell slips slightly under Friday's low/gap top at 16.07 -- session low 16.02 (16.03 -0.13) -Technical-

09:56

DIA Dow +76 flirts with 50 sma and 50% retrace of last week's slide at 10304/10313 and pauses -- session high 10304 -Technical-

09:48

GOOG Google underperforms off the open, slips back near its six week close low from Mid-July at 459.61 -- session low 460.00 (460.31 -1.71) -Technical-

The Mid-July reaction low and the bottom of the early July gap are at 457.52/457.33.

09:45

CAGC China Agritech entered strategic agreement with Beijing Municipal Government to establish within Beijing the headquarters of its nationwide network of distribution centers (18.30 +0.80)

09:44

XRT SPDR Retail provides early leadership probes/pauses at lower end of important short term resistance zone (37.77 +0.34) -Technical-

Solid gains off the open for the XRT brings the lower end of the resistance band marked by its 50 ema, last week's high and its 200 sma into at 38.04/38.17 before pausing (session high 38.00).

09:39

TEVA Teva Pharma solid run in opening action leaves it modestly under its very tight three week trade range/Aug high at 51.00 -- session high 50.86 (50.75 +0.47) -Technical-

09:37

SPY Stock indices firm in early trade amid broad based sector strength -- S&P +6.3, Dow +54, Nasdaq Comp +14.2 -Technical-

The S&P has extended above Friday's low bar high (1075) on the early move with initial resistance above at 1078/1079 (38% retrace of last week's decline/congest/Thursday's late bounce high).

09:32

CPBC Community Partners Bancorp announced that the Board of Directors approved a 5% stock dividend, representing a 66.7% increase YoY (4.60 )

Co announced that the Board of Directors approved a 5% stock dividend, representing a 66.7% increase over the prior year's stock dividend of 3%. The dividend will be payable on October 22, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 24, 2010. The dividend will increase the number of shares outstanding by ~361,571 shares.

09:27

FRPT Force Protection receives $64.1 mln award for additional vehicle modernization (4.16 )

Co receives $64.1 mln award for additional vehicle modernization for seat survivability upgrade kits for 1,946 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Category I Cougar vehicles. All work under this modification is expected to be complete by February, 2011.

09:23

LXK Lexmark sues importers of laser cartridges for patent infringement (37.25 )

Co announced that it has filed a patent infringement complaint with the United States International Trade Commission against 24 companies engaged in the manufacture, importation and sale of replacement cartridges for various Lexmark laser printers and multifunction devices. The complaint alleges that these replacement cartridges infringe at least 15 U.S. patents owned by Lexmark. Lexmark is requesting that the ITC issue a general exclusion order banning the importation and sale of patent infringing laser cartridges by any entity.

09:22

GENZ Genzyme reports that results from eliglustat tartrate will be published (66.76 )

Co announced that the two-year follow-up results from the phase 2 clinical trial of its investigational therapy known as eliglustat tartrate have been accepted for publication in the journal Blood. Co reported last year that the 52-week phase 2 trial of eliglustat tartrate had met its primary composite endpoint: a clinically meaningful response in at least two of three endpoints (improvements in spleen size, hemoglobin and platelet levels) in individual patients. The two-year data to be published in Blood indicate continued improvements across all endpoints. After two years, most patients (85%) had met at least three of the four hematologic and visceral therapeutic goals established for enzyme replacement therapy. These data also suggest that eliglustat tartrate may positively impact two indicators of bone disease, bone mineral density and the presence of dark marrow. The most common adverse events reported in greater than 10 percent of patients included viral infections (six patients), urinary tract infections, increased blood pressure, and abdominal pain (three patients each). Eight drug-related adverse events, including one serious event, were reported in six patients. All were mild in severity.

09:10

CGC Capital Gold provides production and operational outlook for fiscal 2011; expects to produce 65,000-70,000 ounces of gold (3.35 )

Co provided a production and operational outlook for fiscal 2011 at the Company's mining projects in Mexico, including the El Chanate open pit mine in Sonora, the Saric exploration property that is also in Sonora and the Orion project in the State of Nayarit. In fiscal 2011, Capital Gold expects to produce 65,000 to 70,000 ounces of gold. In order to meet the Company's production target, approximately 5.4 million tonnes of ore is anticipated to be processed for the year with an average grade of 0.70 grams per tonne gold and a strip ratio of 2:1.

09:07

On the Wires

MannKind Corporation (MNKD) will supply its novel, ultra rapid acting insulin AFREZZATM for use in a study being conducted by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as part of its Artificial Pancreas Project... Mincom announced it signed an enterprise-wide deal with Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF). Cliffs will standardize its global mining operations on Mincom Ellipse, Enterprise Asset Management solution that helps boost return on assets and workforce performance.

09:06

PZG Paramount Gold and Silver announced shareholder approval of X-Cal (1.31 )

Co advised that its previously announced acquisition of X-Cal Resources has been approved by 100% of the X-Cal shareholders present or represented by proxy at its recent meeting. The Supreme Court of British Columbia has approved the transaction and the acquisition is now closed.

09:04

ALAN Alanco Technologies announces strategic initiatives supporting co's refocus on wireless asset management business which include stock split, name change, corporate consolidation, and evalustion of strategic alternatives (0.20 )

09:02

NEXM NexMed receives additional patent coverage for Israel (2.22 )

Co announced that the Israel Patent Office has issued an allowance notice for NexMed's patent application entitled, "Topical Compositions for Prostaglandin E1 Delivery." The patent, when issued, will provide coverage to May 13, 2019, and expand the protection of NexMed's Prostaglandin E1-based products in Israel to seven granted patents.

09:01

RAVN Raven Industries announces $1.25 per share special cash dividend payable 9/30/2010 (30.97 )

Co announces that its board of directors approved a special cash dividend of $1.25 per share, payable 9/3/2010 to shareholders of record on 9/15/2010. The special dividend will total ~ $22.6 mln. Raven increased its regular quarterly dividend from $0.14 to $0.16 per share earlier this year.

09:01

ONSM Onstream Media Signs a MarketPlace365 Promoter Agreement with The Human Capital Institute (1.22 )

Co announces that The Human Capital Institute has signed a MarketPlace365 promoter agreement to develop a comprehensive marketplace covering 5 communities of interest in the human resource industry. HCI also plans to leverage MarketPlace365 to complement its 6 major physical conferences and many other events the company supports worldwide.

08:46

On the Wires

Spacenet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks (GILT) awarded federal grant funding from the Rural Utility Service under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act... Fluor Corporation (FLR) signed a contract with the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport to provide program management consultancy services for the Emirate's new Integrated Public Transportation Network...Morgan Stanley (MS) announced the availability of the Morgan Stanley Research App on the App Store. The app, available on the iPad and iPhone, allows institutional clients worldwide to view its industry-leading research from the convenience of their mobile device. Institutional clients of Morgan Stanley can use the app to view reports by the global Research team on more than 2,600 stocks as well as fixed income markets, currencies and economics. The app is available for free on the App Store.

08:32

BNHNA Benihana reports first four weeks of 2Q11 sales +4.2% YoY to $25.2 mln (6.34 )

Company-wide comps were +4.3%, representing the 6th consecutive period with comparable restaurant sales increases. By concept, comps +7.3% at Benihana teppanyaki, while the impact of macro-economic weakness caused decreases of 1.2% at RA Sushi and 0.6% at Haru.

08:31

CLRO Clear One Commun received notice of publication from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for patent titled Internet Protocol Streaming Audio, # US 2010/0172512 A1 (3.10 )

08:31

UQM UQM Technologies appoints former Chrysler Group COO, Eric Ridenour, as President and COO (2.46 )

Co announced today that it has appointed Eric Ridenour, former Chief Operating Officer of the Chrysler Group, to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ridenour will join the Company on September 1, 2010 and will become Chief Executive Officer on December 1, 2010. William G. Rankin will continue as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

08:31

GBG Great Basin Gold provides mineral resource update for its Burnstone Gold Project in South Africa; increased the overall resources (2.04 )

Co announces an updated mineral resource estimate for its Burnstone Project in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Measured and Indicated resources have increased by 3% from approximately 11.7 mln ounces to 12.1 mlnounces of gold. Contained gold is estimated to total approximately 8.0 mln ounces, +74% increase from the previous estimate of 4.6 mln ounces.

08:30

CPST Capstone Turbine receives order for 18 C65s for prominent oil & gas developer in Eagle Ford shale play (0.69 )

Co announces order for for 18 C65s for prominent oil & gas developer in Eagle Ford shale play. The Eagle Ford play is expected to emerge as a major oil and gas play in the US over the next decade. Experts estimate it will rank sixth in size among the all-time giant oil fields in the U.S.

08:21

TTIL TTI Team Telecom acquired by TEOCO for $3.00/share (2.92 )

Co announces completion of its previously announced merger with TEOCO. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, which was approved by TTI Telecom's shareholders on July 22, 2010, TTI Telecom has become a private company and each outstanding ordinary share and preferred share of TTI Telecom has been automatically converted into the right to receive $3.00 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.

08:19

ALNY Alnylam Pharma and collaborators publish new pre-clinical research on therapeutic silencing of Parkinson's disease gene; data shows effectiveness of RNAi therapeutic administration (13.73 )

Co and collaborators at The Parkinson's Institute and the Mayo Clinic have published new research findings in the journal Public Library of Science. The new data show effective silencing of the alpha-synuclein gene with an RNAi therapeutic administered directly to the substantia nigra in the CNS of non-human primates.

08:06

CREG China Recycling Energy announces funding projects & executing of strategic cooperation with China Cinda Asset Management (3.20 )

Co, in conjunction with China Cinda Assets Management Limited Corporation announces its financing project. The two companies also detailed additional information from their recently announced Strategic Cooperative Agreement Under the Strategic Agreement, Cinda will encourage its portfolio companies and clients to cooperate with co and assist co and its subsidiaries to develop energy improvement projects with Cinda's portfolio companies and clients. In return,co will pay service fees to Cinda and its subsidiaries for any business they introduce to co or assistance provided to co. Cinda agrees that it and its subsidiaries will exclusively work with co and will not provide client introduction service to any competitors of co, and coand its subsidiaries will not enter into any equity participation agreement with any competitors of Cinda and its subsidiaries. The projects to be financed by Cinda include Phases IV and V, a total of approximately 39-MegaWatt power capacity energy recycling systems, of the joint venture between Xi'an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy to recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy's refining plants. Cinda will provide CREG with up to RMB 200 mln or the equivalent value in U.S. dollars in the form of Convertible Notes and Trust Loans for the construction of and working capital for the projects.

08:04

On the Wires

Uroplasty (UPI) announced that Noridian Administrative Services and Palmetto GBA, South Carolina, both regional Medicare carriers, now cover percutaneous, posterior tibial nerve stimulation using the Urgent PC Neuromodulation System for the treatment of the symptoms of overactive bladder...Energen Corporation (EGN) announced that its oil and gas exploration and production company, Energen Resources Corporation has signed a purchase and sale agreement to buy Permian Basin assets in the Wolfberry trend from a private seller for $185 mln plus standard closing adjustments...DemandTec (DMAN) announced that Save Mart Supermarkets has renewed its subscription to DemandTec's Deal Management software service...Infinera (INFN) announces that Colt has deployed Infinera low-latency optical networking systems to support low latency services on its next generation pan-European network. With Infinera systems optimized to deliver substantial reductions in latency and the benefit of new direct fiber routes, Colt is now offering services with a measured latency of 4.22 milliseconds between London and Frankfurt and 2.65 milliseconds between Paris and Brussels...The Babcock & Wilcox Company (BWC) announced that its subsidiary Babcock & Wilcox Canada has been awarded a replacement steam generator contract from Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anonima in Argentina.

08:03

MANT ManTech announces new mgmt structure under which the presidents of ManTech's three operating groups will also serve as chief operating officers for their respective organizations (35.78 )

Co announced a new senior management structure under which the presidents of ManTech's three operating groups will also serve as chief operating officers for their respective organizations, reporting to the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, George J. Pedersen. The three group president/chief operating officers are Louis M. Addeo, ManTech Technical Services Group; Terry M. Ryan, ManTech Systems Engineering and Advanced Technologies; and L. William Varner, ManTech Mission, Cyber and Technology Solutions.

08:02

INT World Fuel Svcs to acquire Western Petroleum Company for $95 mln (25.19 )

Co announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, World Fuel Services, Inc., has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the capital stock of Western Petroleum Company, including the assets comprising Western's wholesale motor fuel distribution business, branded aviation fuel distribution business and wholesale lubricants distribution business. The purchase price for the transaction will be $95 mln which may be increased by up to an additional $20mln to the extent that Western's net assets exceed an agreed target at closing. Up to $30 million of the purchase price, and up to $10 million of the additional purchase price, if payable, may be paid, at World Fuel's option, in the form of co's common stock, valued based on an agreed trailing average price formula. World Fuel may be required to issue the common stock if its market price at the relevant settlement date exceeds the trailing average trading price by more than an agreed amount. The balance of the purchase price will be funded through a promissory note and cash-on-hand. The transaction, which is expected to be $0.11 to $0.13 accretive to earnings in the first twelve months.

08:02

APOL Apollo Group and University of Phoenix examine the future of higher education in America; report identifies higher education imperatives in U.S. (40.72 )

The co and University of Phoenix released a report examining challenges facing higher education system and the transformations that must occur to meet President Obama's mandate that the United States produce the highest percentage of college graduates of any developed nation by 2020. Key findings of "Higher Education at a Crossroads" include: Increasing the number of college graduates is a challenging and costly endeavor. Using the public higher education system alone to educate the tens of millions of students needed to meet the President's goals would cost more than $800 billion over the next ten years. Well managed proprietary institutions can meet growing demand for expanded access to higher education at less than half this cost. Accredited, degree-granting proprietary schools like University of Phoenix play a critical role in educating "non-traditional" learners.

07:37

LDK LDK Solar announced that its second 5,000 MT polysilicon train has completed the commissioning process and commenced commercial production (7.01 )

07:31

AFOP Alliance Fiber Optic announces 1-for-5 reverse stock split (1.77 )

07:31

GKSR G&K Svcs announces that it has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.095 per share, an increase of ~27.0% from its previous quarterly dividend of $0.075/share (20.06 )

07:30

PAR 3Par: HPQ proposes to acquire 3PAR for $24 per share in cash, a 33% premium to DELL's $18.00 cash bid/Friday's closing price (18.04 )

HPQ announces that it has submitted to 3PAR (PAR) a proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of PAR for $24.00 per share in cash, or an enterprise value of $1.6 bln, a 33% premium to DELL's bid @ $18.00 per share in cash/Friday's closing price of $18.04; it is not subject to any financing contingency and has been approved by HP's board of directors. Once approved by 3PAR's board, HP expects the transaction to close by the end of the calendar year. "We've seen great momentum with our Converged Infrastructure strategy, and 3PAR accelerates that strategy, particularly in cloud and scale-out markets." HPQ to Dell: "We are including with this letter a draft merger agreement with the same terms as your announced transaction with Dell but which eliminates the termination fee."

07:04

TRAD TradeStation acquires portfolio strategy testing technology for 5 mln (5.77 )

Co announces its acquisition of the Portfolio Maestro "Portfolio Testing" software technology from Rina Technologies, LLC, an Ohio-based portfolio trading software company. The products acquired include all versions of Portfolio Maestro, together with many of Rina's legacy portfolio testing, reporting and analysis products. The total purchase price was $5 mln, $4,208,000 in cash paid at closing and $792,000 paid in newly-issued shares of co. common stock at closing.

07:00

ICFI ICF International awarded new $10.5 mln contract to provide HSPD-12 related automation support (21.92 )

Co has been awarded a new contract by the Social Security Administration Office of Protective Security Services, to provide application development, training, and implementation support services for an array of initiatives designed to enhance SSA's physical security posture across the nation. The contract has a value of $10.5 mln and a term of one base year and four option years.

06:55

RRST RRSAT Global announces change of CFO: David Aber appointed as new CFO (7.26 )

Co announces the appointment of Mr. David Aber as its new CFO. Mr. Gil Efron, the current CFO, has decided to pursue new opportunities and will continue at the company through the transition period.

06:32

ALXN Alexion Pharma receives FDA approval of Rhode Island manufacturing facility for Soliris supply (55.65 )

06:32

SAFM Sanderson Farms misses by $0.32, misses on revs (43.16 )

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $1.55 per share, $0.32 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.87; revenues fell 3.1% year/year to $489.1 mln vs the $518.6 mln consensus. "Market prices for poultry products were lower than last year's third quarter. Retail grocery store demand has remained strong, although food service demand has remained sluggish, and will likely remain that way until the employment market gains traction and more consumers return to restaurants... Despite lower grain costs, live production costs were negatively affected by the extreme heat across our production areas. Heat negatively impacts live weights and feed conversions, which in turn results in fewer pounds processed and sold."

06:20

S&P futures vs fair value: +5.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: +10.00.

06:20

Asian Markets

Nikkei...9116.69...-62.70...-0.70%. Hang Seng...20889.01...-92.80...-0.40%.

06:20

European Markets

FTSE...5230.27...+35.00...+0.70%. DAX...6028.36...+23.30...+0.40%.

06:13

POT Potash Board of Directors rejects BHP Billiton's unsolicited offer; says co has been approached by, and has initiated contact with, a number of third parties (149.67 )

Co announces that its Board of Directors, after careful consideration with the assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors, voted unanimously to reject the unsolicited offer by BHP Billiton, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of PotashCorp for $130/share in cash. The Board unanimously recommends that PotashCorp shareholders reject the BHP Billiton offer and not tender their shares. Among the reasons for the PotashCorp Board's recommendation to reject BHP Billiton's offer are detailed in the Directors' Circular and the Schedule 14D-9, and include, among other things, the Board's belief that: Superior offers or other alternatives are expected to emerge. Since August 12, 2010, the date that BHP Billiton first approached PotashCorp in respect of the BHP Billiton offer, the PotashCorp Board, together with PotashCorp's management team and financial and legal advisors, have been working to evaluate a range of strategic alternatives that may enhance shareholder value. PotashCorp has been approached by, and has initiated contact with, a number of third parties who have expressed an interest in considering alternative transactions. Discussions are being pursued with several of these third parties in order to generate value enhancing alternatives.

06:07

WLK Westlake Chemical increases quarterly dividend 10% or $0.006 to $0.0635/share (26.05 )

06:05

ACTG Acacia Research subsidiary enters into settlement agreement with integrated silicon solution, inc. (13.68 )

Co announces that its DRAM Technology subsidiary has entered into a settlement agreement with Integrated Silicon Solution regarding patents related to double data rate SDRAM devices. The settlement agreement resolves litigation that was pending in the Eastern District of Texas.

03:51

BIP Brookfield Infrastructure announces merger with Prime Infrastructure; transaction implied value of AUD$1.6 bln(US$1.4 bln) for Prime Infrastructure (17.15 )

Co announces that they have entered into a definitive merger with Prime Infrastructure; transaction implied value of AUD$1.6 bln(US$1.4 bln) for Prime Infrastructure. The transaction will create a leading global infrastructure company with a market capitalization in excess of US$2.5 bln. prime security holders to receive 0.24 units of BIP, representing a price of AUD$4.60 per Prime Security, a premium of ~30% Over the Closing Prices on 8/20/10.

02:11

DBRN Dress Barn announces reorganization plans (21.95 )

Co announces that it will ask shareholders to consider and vote on a proposal to reorganize Dress Barn as a holding company at its annual meeting of shareholders on December 8, 2010. In the reorganization, each of Dress Barn, Maurices and Tween Brands, which operates Justice brand, would become subsidiaries of a new corporation named Ascena Retail Group, or Ascena, and Dress Barn shareholders would become stockholders of this new holding company on a one-for-one basis, holding the same number of shares and same ownership percentage after the reorganization as they held immediately prior to the reorganization.

01:54

HSP Hospira Japan receives approval for new indication for Precedex IV 200ug (51.32 )

Hospira Japan receives approval for new indication for Precedex IV 200ug. This approval follows Hospira's first launches earlier this year of Precedex in Canada and in South Korea, important milestones for Hospira as the company continues to build the molecule's global presence.

01:37

EPCT EpiCept receives refusal to file letter from FDA on Ceplene new drug application (1.10 )

Co receives refusal to file letter from FDA on Ceplene new drug application. In its preliminary review of the Ceplene NDA, the FDA concluded that the application did not establish Ceplene's therapeutic contribution in its combination with IL-2, and recommended that an additional confirmatory pivotal trial assessing Ceplene's contribution and using overall survival as a primary endpoint be conducted.

01:28

PACW PacWest Bancorp acquires Los Padres Bank of Solvang, CA through an FDIC-assisted transaction (19.31 )

Co announces aquisition of Los Padres Bank. Under the terms of the transaction, PACQ will acquire certain assets, including all loans, and assume all deposits. At 6/30/10, Los Padres Bank had $870 mlnin assets, $534 mlnin loans and $771 mlnin deposits. Los Padres Bank operated 11 branches in California and 3 branches in Arizona.

01:24

WABC Westamerica Banc announces acquisition from FDIC of Sonoma Valley Bank Assets and Liabilities (50.81 )

01:20

GT Goodyear Tire prices additional $100 mln of 8.25% senior notes (9.85 )

01:18

MKC McCormick to adopt 10b5-1 stock repurchase plan (40.90 )

17:04

SJR Shaw Comms: Purchase of additional shares of Shaw Communications by the Shaw Family (20.35 +0.12)

SJR has been advised that the Shaw Family, and entities owned or controlled by them, completed the purchase of an additional 1,000,000 Class B Non-Voting Shares of the Company. According to information provided to the Co, the Shaw Family, and entities owned or controlled by them, holds 49,217,591 Class A and Class B shares of the C. The Shaw Family also advised the Co that it would continue its practice of purchasing shares on a regular basis.

17:03

CE Celanese announces price increases (26.27 -0.62)

Co will increase prices for the following products in the amounts detailed below effective September 1, 2010, or as contracts allow. Acetic 300 RMB/Mt (China), 50 USD/MT (Asia outside China), acetic anhydride 400 RMB/MT (China), 60 USD/MT (Asia outside China) and vinyl acetate monomer 200 RMB/MT (China), 30 USD/MT (Asia outside China).

16:23

FUQI Fuqi Intl receives additional noncompliance notice from Nasdaq as expected (7.03 -0.25)

16:17

EXPD Expeditors receives administrative proceeding from Brazilian Ministry of Justice (41.65 +0.11)

Co said that on August 17, 2010, the co and its Brazilian subsidiary, Expeditors Internacional do Brasil Ltda. (together, "Expeditors") received an Administrative Proceeding ("AP") from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice. The AP initiates a proceeding against Expeditors and one of its employees, alleging possible anti-competitive behavior contrary to Brazilian rules on competition.

16:06

CPIX Cumberland Pharma announces extension of FDA review of Acetadote supplemental new drug application (6.04 +0.21)

16:01

MTN Vail Resorts promotes Alex Iskenderian to COO and Senior VP for Vail Resorts Development Company (34.85 +0.29)

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